WA govt 2017 report card mostly positive

The biggest hurdle facing WA Premier Mark McGowan remains the fact Labor is at the mercy of the opposition and crossbench in the upper house despite their landslide victory at the election.

Nonetheless, it's been a solid first parliamentary year in government, with Labor delivering on some election commitments and continuing to highlight the opposition's lack of fiscal credibility.

Analysts David Black and John Phillimore agree Mr McGowan has handled premiership well.

But Prof Black says the premier still has a difficult task in pushing legislation through parliament.

"The disadvantage is that they don't control both houses of parliament," he told AAP on Sunday.

"The (other) real difficulty is they don't have a mandate for increasing taxes."

Regarding the failed gold tax hike, which was twice blocked in the upper house, Prof Phillimore said because it was sold to the public as a budget repair measure, it was a "nil-all draw" for the major parties.

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But he warned the opposition must pick its battles for blocking legislation or it would only further highlight the unfair and flawed upper house electoral system.

Prof Black says Treasurer Ben Wyatt seems to be "one of the strongest players in the administration" with one of the toughest jobs.

Prof Phillimore said Labor could continue to attack the opposition over their time in government due to the Liberals lack of fiscal credibility which had left the state with a massive debt and deficit.

Mr McGowan's confidence in parliament has also increased since the March election, perhaps due to having a united and strong team behind him.

But the opposition is struggling in the lower house.

"The leadership is essentially a hangover from the previous government," Prof Black said.

The Liberal party's internal problems, with former premier Colin Barnett's continued public commentary and criticism of his own cabinet, are compounding the issues.

Prof Black says while Mr Barnett hasn't helped his party, he's likely to retire soon triggering a by-election in the leafy seat of Cottesloe, which has been won by Liberals at every election since 1950.

Whoever the Liberals nominate for the seat will say a lot about the structure of the party going forward, Prof Black says.

Another possible by-election could be for the seat of Darling Range if Labor-turned-independent Barry Urban is forced out over questions about his qualifications.

Prof Black says it will be difficult for Labor to win if that by-election happens.

The legislative assembly resumes next February, but there is plenty of work done between now and then.

The next big challenge will be when Mr Wyatt hands down the mid-year review on December 20.